Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Today, the government introduces the supplementary additional estimates appropriations bills. These bills are:

These bills underpin the government's expenditure decisions.

Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2013-2014 seeks approval for additional appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of just over $337 million.

I now outline the significant items provided for in this bill.

First, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet would receive just over $169 million in funding to enable the department to undertake the functions and activities that were transferred as a result of the machinery of government changes in September and amended in December 2013. The government transferred responsibility for over 150 Indigenous programs and activities to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to enable a consistent approach to Indigenous policy and provide an opportunity to eliminate duplication in these programs. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet now also has responsibility for the offices of Women, Deregulation, and Best Practice Regulation.

Second, this bill would provide the Department of Defence with just over $58 million, reflecting three matters. Those are: supplementation for Operation Southern Indian Ocean; Defence real estate sales, and foreign exchange movements.

On more general matters, this bill reflects the current names of government departments, consistent with the Administrative Arrangements Order of 18 September 2013. For example, the bill proposes appropriations for the Department of Industry, instead of the former Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

Details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the schedule to the bill and the portfolio supplementary additional estimates statements tabled in the parliament. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.